# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=421 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 422 --- ## [What if Henry V of England had lived longer after conquering France?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-henry-v-of-england-had-lived-longer-after-conquering-france/561682)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-henry-v-of-england-had-lived-longer-after-conquering-france/561682 "2010-11-25T18:10:42Z")
Henry V of England, like Alexander the Great, conquered an empire while young, died young, and the empire came apart after his death. Asserting a colorable claim to the French crown, he invaded France and defeated the F… --- ## [Tom DeLay still twisting, twisting slowly in the wind...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-delay-still-twisting-twisting-slowly-in-the-wind/332331)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-delay-still-twisting-twisting-slowly-in-the-wind/332331 "2010-11-25T17:29:52Z")
Tom Delay’s attorneys were frustrated today in their bid for a swift dismissal of the indictment against him, when the new judge declined to rule immediately as they had hoped. But DeLay’s attorney gave some inkling of t… --- ## [Foreclosures hit homeowners not in default](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreclosures-hit-homeowners-not-in-default/561148)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2010, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreclosures-hit-homeowners-not-in-default/561148 "2010-11-25T09:35:11Z")
I thought that this might be appropriate to this thread: but decided that I should start a new one rather than wake up a month old one. http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-11-17-foreclosures17\_ST\_N.htm … --- ## [Did nuclear weapons reduce the death rate from war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-nuclear-weapons-reduce-the-death-rate-from-war/561558)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-nuclear-weapons-reduce-the-death-rate-from-war/561558 "2010-11-25T00:11:58Z")
I have heard that nuclear weapons reduced the death rate from war because it made war too unprofitable to be worth the effort for the aggressor. So war death rates declined started in the mid 1940s. Of course this scena… --- ## [Why should the parents of young adults recover for wrongful death torts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-parents-of-young-adults-recover-for-wrongful-death-torts/561266)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-parents-of-young-adults-recover-for-wrongful-death-torts/561266 "2010-11-24T19:32:20Z")
It may be a GQ, or it will probably turn into a GD so I will put it here. I’ve been reading cases (most prominently the Fred Goldman/OJ civil case) where a young adult is killed by negligence (or intent) and the parents… --- ## [Will the GOP implode over Tea Party demands for cuts to ethanol subsidies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653 "2010-11-24T15:39:47Z")
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/the\_next\_big\_gop\_intra-party\_w.html Have DeMint and Coburn stepped on the third rail of midwest politics? Whether you want to cut ethanol subsidies or not, it is unden… --- ## [Why can't the Shinkansen (Bullet trains) work anywhere else in the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-the-shinkansen-bullet-trains-work-anywhere-else-in-the-world/560417)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-the-shinkansen-bullet-trains-work-anywhere-else-in-the-world/560417 "2010-11-24T00:58:42Z")
Currently in Japan on an extended business trip and marveling at the Shinkansen… Here’s some spectacular facts from the wiki article: There has never been a fatality on the shinkansen since it has introduced in 1962 … --- ## [America through Asian eyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-through-asian-eyes/561595)
**Author:** [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-through-asian-eyes/561595 "2010-11-23T22:59:51Z")
The link below cuts through all of the arguing regarding cuts in spending and taxes. While it doesn’t give the detailed answers, I think that the author is spot on in his analysis of how America is seen from outside. h… --- ## [Help needed: Debate AGAINST legalisation of cannabis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-debate-against-legalisation-of-cannabis/560596)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-debate-against-legalisation-of-cannabis/560596 "2010-11-23T19:48:58Z")
Ok lads. I have to participate in a debate on Tuesday for college, and I have been placed against legalising marajuana. The problem? Despite the fact that I tend to argue against the self-righteous legalisation-is-the… --- ## [Why so much difference in level of bullying in high school vs college?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-much-difference-in-level-of-bullying-in-high-school-vs-college/560324)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-much-difference-in-level-of-bullying-in-high-school-vs-college/560324 "2010-11-23T19:48:51Z")
What are some reasons why people get bullied to such an extreme extent in high school but not nearly as much in college? Does the age of the kids in these two environments make that much difference? Is it the different… --- ## [Seeking an intelligent Obama hater - no debates here!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-an-intelligent-obama-hater-no-debates-here/560834)
**Author:** [@CanTak3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanTak3)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-an-intelligent-obama-hater-no-debates-here/560834 "2010-11-23T18:59:37Z")
On a personal note, I’ve voted both democratic and republican in the past. I am not a liberal nor a conservative, though I’ve voted democratic about 2/3 of the time. That said, I am not looking for a debate, nor an arg… --- ## [What does the bailout mean for Ireland (and the rest of the Eurozone)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bailout-mean-for-ireland-and-the-rest-of-the-eurozone/561530)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bailout-mean-for-ireland-and-the-rest-of-the-eurozone/561530 "2010-11-23T18:28:45Z")
I’m no economist so the events of recent years have been bewildering. Anyway last night it was finally confirmed that the EU and IMF will provide Ireland with a means to pay its tab. What is this likely to mean for Irela… --- ## [Best Case Republican and Democrat Scenarios](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-case-republican-and-democrat-scenarios/561617)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-case-republican-and-democrat-scenarios/561617 "2010-11-23T16:14:24Z")
What would be the best case situations for the Democratic Party where they are politically strong and their policies strengthen the nation? Who would they have to nominate and elect and what policies would they have to e… --- ## [Legalization of marijuana and secondhand smoke (Has this been debated here before?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalization-of-marijuana-and-secondhand-smoke-has-this-been-debated-here-before/561596)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalization-of-marijuana-and-secondhand-smoke-has-this-been-debated-here-before/561596 "2010-11-23T16:08:36Z")
After a quick search I can see no threads that debate this issue in specific, and it doesn’t seem to be part of the larger legalization debate, so let’s do it: Regardless of whether it’s legal, secondhand marijuana smok… --- ## [Morally who are you stealing from when you steal from a corperation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morally-who-are-you-stealing-from-when-you-steal-from-a-corperation/561272)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morally-who-are-you-stealing-from-when-you-steal-from-a-corperation/561272 "2010-11-23T15:07:20Z")
A corporation is a legal construct, a fictitious person, basically a fantasy. The share holders have invested in this person as a person, like putting all their money in a pile and saying that money is a person, legally… --- ## [Resolved: Pirates caught in the act should be hanged by the neck until dead.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-pirates-caught-in-the-act-should-be-hanged-by-the-neck-until-dead/560770)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-pirates-caught-in-the-act-should-be-hanged-by-the-neck-until-dead/560770 "2010-11-23T14:40:53Z")
As I’m sure the Teeming Millions are well aware, Somali pirates remain quite active off the coast of that country, routinely capturing and ransoming ships and crews. Among the many problems naval forces face in combating… --- ## ["There is a mean streak in anyone who will destroy another's faith."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-a-mean-streak-in-anyone-who-will-destroy-anothers-faith/561104)
**Author:** [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2010, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-a-mean-streak-in-anyone-who-will-destroy-anothers-faith/561104 "2010-11-23T03:41:36Z")
The titles quote is taken from an excerpt in Dawkins’ The God Delusion. He argues it is not true at all. I am an atheist and my girlfriend is a cafeteria/haven’t-really-thought-about-it type of Catholic. When we recen… --- ## [Oklahoma's Banning of International Law and Its Relation to Business](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahomas-banning-of-international-law-and-its-relation-to-business/559722)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahomas-banning-of-international-law-and-its-relation-to-business/559722 "2010-11-22T23:02:45Z")
Somewhat similar to the issues in this thread: The new constitutional amendment: Some people read the amendment as banning the use of any foreign law. This is one of the stupidest things that Oklahoma could have don… --- ## [Seriously wanna ask: "By buying your ticket you gave up a lot of rights." Limited to 4th amendment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seriously-wanna-ask-by-buying-your-ticket-you-gave-up-a-lot-of-rights-limited-to-4th-amendment/561526)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seriously-wanna-ask-by-buying-your-ticket-you-gave-up-a-lot-of-rights-limited-to-4th-amendment/561526 "2010-11-22T22:14:48Z")
According to a TSA supervisor (surely the story is well known enough I don’t need to link), “by buying your ticket you \[give\] up a lot of rights.” I read it as an implied smackdown against the traveller who protests agai… --- ## ["Freedom Isn't Free." Discuss?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-isnt-free-discuss/560472)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-isnt-free-discuss/560472 "2010-11-22T20:29:15Z")
In the wake of Veterans Day, I will take the small risk of prodding a bit at the philosophical foundations of the idea that freedom can only be preserved by those who give up their own. Please, let’s not turn this into … --- ## [Should he clean her clock? \[Obama vs. Palin in debates\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-clean-her-clock-obama-vs-palin-in-debates/561169)
**Author:** [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-clean-her-clock-obama-vs-palin-in-debates/561169 "2010-11-22T18:19:32Z")
If Obama and Palin faced off in a town hall debate, where both parties are properly controlled by a moderator, should Obama bring the full force of his talent to bear on her and totally crush her, or should he be gentle … --- ## [How would \*your\* life actually change if (the person you don't support) was president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-your-life-actually-change-if-the-person-you-dont-support-was-president/561522)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-your-life-actually-change-if-the-person-you-dont-support-was-president/561522 "2010-11-22T17:40:51Z")
Depending on where you live, what you do for a living, and what kind of person you are, how do you think your individual life be affected if whoever you do NOT want to become president were to become president? This is … --- ## [GOP Refusal to Approve New START](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-refusal-to-approve-new-start/561253)
**Author:** [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-refusal-to-approve-new-start/561253 "2010-11-22T17:24:41Z")
The US-Russia strategic arms reduction treaty, which extends the reduction and verification regimes of START I, is still waiting for Senate approval. Even though the treaty has strong support from Sen. Lugar ®, probably … --- ## [Divorce and Custody](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divorce-and-custody/560519)
**Author:** [@Kearsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divorce-and-custody/560519 "2010-11-22T17:03:38Z")
Why is the default position of the courts to allow the Mother custodial rights to the children and have the Father pay child support? Before I get a hundred different replies saying that isn’t the case, I understand tha… --- ## [What does "real" airline security look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-real-airline-security-look-like/560903)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-real-airline-security-look-like/560903 "2010-11-22T14:44:29Z")
There has been a lot of criticism about US security procedures in the past week, which seems to be coming to a head in a National Opt-Out Day just before Thanksgiving. On this day, people are being urged to opt out of b… --- ## [Public Schools: Strict Traditional Education vs Citizen Development](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-schools-strict-traditional-education-vs-citizen-development/560233)
**Author:** [@spazattak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spazattak)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-schools-strict-traditional-education-vs-citizen-development/560233 "2010-11-22T14:13:42Z")
I didn’t want to bog down the compulsory education thread so I’m pulling this out. What should the focus of our public schools be? The development of responsible citizens with job skills, or simply to provide the traditi… --- ## [Khalid Sheik Mohammed can be held indefinitely without trial, says Obama administration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khalid-sheik-mohammed-can-be-held-indefinitely-without-trial-says-obama-administration/560743)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khalid-sheik-mohammed-can-be-held-indefinitely-without-trial-says-obama-administration/560743 "2010-11-21T16:40:37Z")
Link. Seems like this is a view that many people did not agree with a couple of years ago. Has anyone changed their minds now? For example, in a November 2009 thread about Khalid Sheik Mohammed, I asked, “But isn’t t… --- ## [Is battle between great powers obsolete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-battle-between-great-powers-obsolete/561100)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-battle-between-great-powers-obsolete/561100 "2010-11-20T17:47:03Z")
Will we ever again see countries with modern, well-equipped and well-trained militaries engaged in battle against one another? For myself, I rather doubt it. Most of the world’s top-tier militaries are NATO members, EU … --- ## [Hong Kongs economic culture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hong-kongs-economic-culture/560429)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hong-kongs-economic-culture/560429 "2010-11-20T01:56:03Z")
Last night I watched a documentary lamenting the UKs large deficit and how the bloated public sector was to blame, and then it exampled Hong Kong as a model of how great society and the economy would be if we just didn’t… --- ## [Asking middle class (and lower) Dopers why they vote Republican.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-middle-class-and-lower-dopers-why-they-vote-republican/560402)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-middle-class-and-lower-dopers-why-they-vote-republican/560402 "2010-11-19T23:20:10Z")
Really simple, and I’m genuinely curious. If you have an income of less than $50,000 a year and you’re single, or less than $75,000 a year for a couple or family and you consistently vote Republican, I’d like to know th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=420) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=422)